COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack told Branch County Commissioners on Thursday his department is facing various manpower and equipment challenges as budget negotiations are getting underway.
Pollack said five of the department’s 10 patrol cars have over 100,000 miles on them while three others have over 60,000 miles.
In addition, Pollack said the Marine Patrol fleet is shorthanded after two of the three remaining patrol boats broke down.
There is also a shortage of five correction officers…
Two road patrol deputy positions that were added to the department’s budget are unfilled because according to Pollack, they are unable to pay enough to find anyone to fill those positions.
Commissioner Jon Houtz responded after Pollack said he apparently didn’t have support.
Commissioner Tim Stoll wants everybody to work on a viable solution. Commissioner Leonard Kolcz repeated his request that the county add more deputies for the Sheriff’s Department.
This is a totally disgusting ongoing situation. Branch County MI, the birth place of the defund the police movement.. Schma!
We need to support our Sheriff better. He and his his deputies are covering a lot of territory and with violent crime on the rise they need the tools to work with.